Zebrafish - Research Article from Macmillan Science Library: Genetics

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Zebrafish.

Zebrafish - Research Article from Macmillan Science Library: Genetics

This encyclopedia article consists of approximately 3 pages of information about Zebrafish.
This section contains 705 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Zebrafish Encyclopedia Article

The zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) is a small tropical freshwater fish that began to be used as a genetic model system in the early 1980s. The zebrafish shares numerous anatomical and genetic similarities with higher vertebrates, including humans, both in the general body plan and in specific organs. Close parallels exist in many aspects of early embryogenesis and in the anatomical and histological features of the brain, spinal cord, sensory systems, cardiovascular system, and other organs. Not infrequently, genetic defects in zebrafish resemble human disorders. Owing to these similarities, zebrafish genetics is being broadly applied to address both basic biological questions and to model human inherited diseases.

The developing zebrafish is transparent, making it an ideal subject for the study of development. The developing zebrafish is transparent, making it an ideal subject for the study of development.

Useful Traits for Researchers

Several characteristics favor the choice of zebrafish for genetic research. First, zebrafish are easy to maintain in large numbers in a small laboratory...

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This section contains 705 words
(approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page)
Buy the Zebrafish Encyclopedia Article
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Zebrafish from Macmillan. Copyright © 2001-2006 by Macmillan Reference USA, an imprint of the Gale Group. All rights reserved.